Quotes from books

The Pilgrimage

'A boat is safe in the harbor, but that is not the purpose of the boat.'

'We always have a tendency to see those things that do not exist and be blind to the great lessons that are right there before our eyes.'

'Teaching is only demonstrating that it is possible. Learning is making it possible for yourself.'

'Death is our constant companion, and it is death that gives each person's life its true meaning.'

'It has been said that there is no such thing as coincidence in this world.'

'We must never stop dreaming. Dreams provide nourishment for the soul, just as meal does for the body. Many times in our lives we see our dreams shattered and our desires frustrated, but we have to continue dreaming. If we don't, our soul dies, and agape cannot reach it.'

'The good fight is the one that we fight in the name of our dreams.'

'Human beings are the only ones in nature who are aware that they will die. For that reason and only that reason, I have a profound respect for the human race, and I believe that its future is going to be much better than its present. Even knowing that their days are numbered and that everything will end when they least expect it, people make of their lives a battle that is worthy of a being with eternal life. What people regard as vanity - leaving great works, having children, acting in such a way as to prevent one's name from being forgotten - I regard as the highest expression of human dignity.'

'Still, being fragile creatures, humans always try to hide from themselves the certainty that they will die. They do not see that it is death itself that motivates them to do the best things in their lives. They are afraid to step into the dark, afraid of the unknown, and their only way of conquering that fear is to ignore the fact that their days are numbered. They do not see that with an awareness of death, they would be able to be even more daring, to go much further in their daily conquests, because then they would have nothing to lose - for death itself is inevitable.'

'You don't have to climb a mountain to know whether or not its high.'

'Never give up. When your heart becomes tired, just walk with your legs - but move on.'